We strongly recommend thorough preparation before putting a property on the market
(either for sale or for rent)

The preparation you put into getting your property ready can be the difference between
getting a standard price and getting a great price. The best part is that preparation
is not hard, time consuming or expensive.

The process, or indeed art, of presenting your property for sale is an important
one to master. For most, the sale of a property comes around every 5-7 years. For
others it has become a more regular event, choosing to capitalise on the opportunity
of upgrading the family home and make substantial tax free gains in the process.

Whatever your motive for selling, the process can either be stress free and lucrative
or tense and disappointing. The good news is that you have the ability to choose.

Buyers for good quality property can be found all year round. With the marketing
process having become far more sophisticated than in previous times, the issue of
timing is less critical today than in the past. However, there are some important
points you may wish to consider.

Spring and Summer months produce superior results, particularly October and February.
In major centres avoid the Christmas holiday period between 20 December and 10 January.
In tourist destinations, however, this same period can be the best time for the
sale of property.

The time required to sell property that is accurately priced will typically vary
between two and six weeks. Prior to placing your property on the market, allow an
additional two weeks to prepare both the property and the marketing material.

Presentation of your property is a critical factor in achieving the highest possible
price. This is similar to detailing a car before you sell it. The emotional appeal
required to stir the spirit of the buyers is unlikely to be generated by a poorly
presented property. And a neglected building sends out 'warning signals' to prospective
buyers.

So it is important to do whatever is possible to have your property looking its
absolute best on inspection day. Some of the turn offs for buyers include:

Animal odours in the house

Evidence of damp or moisture in the walls

Cigarette or strong food odours

Doors, windows or gates that stick

Cracked glass

Too much furniture or personal belongings cluttering the space

Stained carpet

To improve the presentation, seek an outside opinion, as many of these problems
can be fixed over a weekend for little expense. We believe the process is so important
that we offer our clients the services of our in-house Property Stylist to help
in preparing the property.

For vacant properties, we would also recommend the use of decorator furniture for
the period of the sale. Advice on the best type of furniture can also be offered
by our stylist. The average cost to furnish a typical three bedroom house for six
weeks is likely to be in the range of $4,000-$6,000 - in our experience an excellent
investment in maximising the sale price of your property.

When it comes to selling your property, there are three popular methods to choose
from:

Private Treaty (Sale)

Public Auction

Public Tender

Each has its own advantages and it is advisable to speak to your agent about the
benefits of each method.

We have used all three methods. Auction is effective in the event of there being
difficulty in clearly determining the value of a property whereby a value range
may be more practical.

Also, where a property is likely to attract more than one qualified buyer in the
marketplace, auction allows competitive bidding to increase the final sale price.
In the event that you choose to submit your property for sale by auction, research
the success of each company's auctioneers, as a skilled auctioneer can add significantly
to your end result.

A few hundred dollars spent sprucing up the property will increase
the saleability and more than likely increase the sale price.

A property stylist can improve the appeal of your property by enhancing
its appearance. This helps in obtaining a higher sale price.

Obtain a building and pest inspection report. - This allows you to
have necessary repair work done prior to sale. A 100% clear report can be used as
a selling feature for buyers.

If there is a current lease, check the expiry date and termination
requirements and advise us and your conveyancer.

Make a note of all the inclusions ie. Everything that will be included
in the purchase price and remaining at the property at settlement. Standard items
include light fittings, floor coverings and window treatments. These can be excluded
from the sale but it should be noted in the contract for sale.

Marketing Excellence - Our aim is to have the bestproperty marketing through excellent
photograhy and copywriting. We aim to impress by using some of Australia’s most
unique and innovative property and lifestyle magazines, choosing the most appropriate
magazines and marketing channels in order to reach the right buyer for your property.

Online presence - The realmestates.com website is more than just another real estate
agency website. It is being developed progressively as a true online resource.

Database of Buyers - Buyer’s details are entered into our comprehensive database.
Once listed with us, a flyer goes out to every suitable buyer prior to the commencement
of the full marketing program.

Auctions - If you choose to sell your property at auction, we work with the best
credentialled auctioneers in Perth

Making it easier for people to buy - Our aim is to provide a comprehensive solution
approach. We have links to reputable tradespeople, financiers and conveyancers.